Newsletter for October 1, 2006
HELP Center Announcements
Save the Dates: Wednesdays 12:00 – 2:00
Student Parent HELP Center Group Updates:
The Student Parent HELP Center Parent Group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12-2 in Room 24, Appleby Hall. We provide a nice lunch for FREE for those folks who attend (you do not have to stay for whole group, but we ask that students do not ‘eat and run” so that the food goes around).
The weekly discussions are based on the input we receive from student parents throughout the course of the semester. Each week, we will try to provide as much information and sharing as possible among student parents, as we feel you are the experts on your experiences as parents. The input you receive from group can be used, or not used, based on your discretion; some tips will always work better for some than others. We love to have you share and we look forward to hearing from you throughout the semester!
Although we always have time for sharing each week, there are some times that we bring in outside speakers or guests to provide specific information on topics you are interested in. We want you to come as much as possible every week, but please also SAVE THE DATES for the upcoming outside speakers:
Wednesday, November 1, 1-2: Dr. Amy Sussman-Stillman, (University of Minnesota, Institute for Child Development) professor in child development and mother of two young children, will be coming to talk about age-appropriate discipline strategies. She is also prepared to field specific questions during this time.
Wednesday, November 8, 1-2: Stacey Bostwick, from the Powderhorn Residents Group, and Jeff Washburn, from the City of Lakes Land Trust, will be coming to talk about home buying options and home buying counseling opportunities for those interested in buying their first home or are just curious about what to do in order to prepare for home buying in the future.
***Wednesday, November 29, 1-2: Linda Aaker, from the University of Minnesota, Legal Services, will be coming to provide updated information about the significant changes that will occur in 2007 in regard to child support laws in the state of Minnesota.
Wednesday, December 13, 12-2: Stress Free Day! Massage therapists from Centerpoint School of Massage will be coming in to offer special massage treats to keep you relaxed through finals --- a small reward for getting through the semester! J
Please look out for upcoming amendments to the schedule, as we are waiting to hear back from a few outside speakers!
We Need You…
The Student Parent Association (SPA) is a University student group specifically designed to address the issues facing student parents on campus. As the new academic year gets underway, SPA is looking to enroll new members and officers. Membership and officer application forms are available on their website under the “Links” tab. Complete applications can be returned to Susan Warfield, via email attachment sent to her direct email address. This type of engagement looks wonderful on a resume and goes a long way toward increasing the visibility of student parents at the U of MN. Please visit their website to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/
Student Parent Success Stories:
We would like to begin featuring announcements of student and family successes as regular newsletter items. If you will be graduating at the end of fall term, are welcoming a new child, purchasing a new home, getting married or experiencing any related event that you would like to have us post in the newsletter, please send the details to the SPHC email address, spch@umn.edu . We would be proud and honored to share in celebrating these wonderful life transitions with you and your families.
Parenting Information
MN Science Museum
Did you know…families who receive any assistance in the form of WIC, MFIP, GA, MA, MN Care, SSI, FS, or Section 8 qualify for reduced admission rates at the MN Science Museum. Just bring along current proof that you receive any of the assistance forms listed above, and you and your family can enjoy the Science Museum for the following prices:
Exhibits: $1.00
Exhibits + Omni Theater: $3.00
Exhibits + Body World Exhibit: $3.00
Exhibits + Body World Exhibit + Omni Theater: $3.00
Please contact the museum with any further questions:
651.221.9444, www.smm.org
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 9:30-7:00, Thursday-Saturday
Also, Museum Adventure Passes are now available for check-out at over 100 metro public library branches. The pass allows you to visit a number of local museums and attractions, including the MN Zoo for free!
http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/museumpasses.asp
Fun Fall Events
Information about area Apple Picking:
http://twincities.citysearch.com/find/results/twincities
/apple%20orchard/page1.html?init_search=1
University of Minnesota Homecoming Parade:
November 4th at 9:00 am, check the website for more details: http://www.homecoming.umn.edu
Perkins and SELF Loans Information
Perkins Loans: Is it ever possible to have my Federal Perkins Loan canceled?
Yes. Federal Perkins Loans can be canceled if the borrower dies or becomes totally and permanently disabled, for example. A loan can also qualify for cancellation under certain other conditions, as long as you’re not in default. See the table below for the list of cancellation provisions. For more information, contact your financial aid office or visit: http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Financial_Aid/Loans.html
Perkins Discharge/Cancellation Schedule
Cancellation Conditions |
Amount Forgiven |
Notes |
Borrower’s total and permanent disability(2) or death |
100% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Full-time teacher in a designated elementary or secondary school serving students from |
Up to 100% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Full-time special education teacher (includes teaching children with disabilities in a public or other nonprofit elementary or secondary school) |
Up to 100% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Full-time qualified professional provider of early intervention services for the disabled |
Up to 100% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Full-time teacher of math, science, foreign languages, bilingual education, or other fields designated as teacher shortage areas |
Up to 100% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Full-time employee of a public or nonprofit child- or family- services agency providing services to high-risk children and their families from low-income communities |
Up to 100% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Full-time nurse or medical technician |
Up to 100% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Full-time law enforcement or corrections officer |
Up to 100% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Full-time staff member in the education component of a Head Start Program |
Up to 100% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Vista or Peace Corps volunteer |
Up to 70% |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Service in the U.S. Armed Forces |
Up to 50% in areas |
Service qualifies for deferment also. |
Bankruptcy (in rare cases) |
Up to 100% |
Cancellation is possible only if the |
Closed school (before student could complete program of study) |
100% |
For loans received on or after |
SELF Loans:
Please remember, you must pay the interest on your SELF loan even while you are still in school. If you do not, you will go into default, which will affect your financial standing at the University.
Grants Update
CCAMPIS Grant –Unfortunately, this grant is closed for Fall, we are no longer accepting applications.
Post Secondary Child Care Grant –Please turn in your application as soon as possible, as we are expecting the list to close ANY DAY NOW.
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only
Tasty Recipe:
Waldorf Salad
Ingredients: 1 bag crunchy apples, 1 bag of walnuts, 1/3 cup or so of raisins, drop of lemon juice, 2 tbs. of sugar (if wanted), 3 to 4 stalks of celery, mayonnaise to taste
Directions: 1). Cut apples into bite sized pieces, 2). Cut celery into small pieces, 3). Put cubed apples into bowl, 4). Add lemon juice to prevent apples from browning, 5). Add celery, 6). Add raisins, 7). Add walnuts, 8). Add small amount of sugar if wanted 9). Add mayonnaise to taste, about ½ cup 10). This is a great salad, because you can add more or less of any of the ingredients. Another idea would be to add halved seedless red grapes.
Cool Web Link of the Week:
http://www.pbs.org/parents
PBS Parents is a resourceful website offering a fun Birthday idea guide, child development information, and a variety of other helpful parenting tools.
Meet the HELP Center Staff
Susan Warfield, MSW, LICSW
As the Director of the SPHC, I am responsible for overseeing all programs of the Student Parent HELP Center and supervising SPHC staff. This has meant that I have had to step back from having the degree of direct contact with students I have always enjoyed having. This has been a difficult but necessary step for me to take in order to meet the needs of our growing program. If you have an issue that absolutely cannot be addressed by another SPHC staff member, you may schedule an appointment with me. These appointments should be booked through the SPHC front desk. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Wagner, Melissa Schmidt, Ali Cain, or Zer Xiong. I am entering my 7th year with the HELP Center and during this journey have moved from staff, to Coordinator and now Director. With this evolution has come an increase in responsibilities and duties. Please know that even though you may not see as much of me in the actual Center as you may have in the past, I continue to work each and every day to bring you the programming, funding and visibility on campus that student parents need to have a successful experience at the U of MN. We are experiencing a bit of a crisis on the private child care funding side and I really need to devote most of my attention this year to finding more child care assistance and emergency grant funding in order to keep up with demand. Have no fear; you will continue to hear my raucous laughter echoing through the SPHC!
Jerri Wagner, MSW, LGSW
I am the new Direct Service Program Coordinator for the Student Parent HELP Center. Originally from New York State, I graduated from Syracuse University in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in theatre, with minors in sociology and women’s studies. After undergrad, I was an AmeriCorps volunteer for one year in Chicago, teaching arts integration on the west side in a Chicago Public School. In June of 2003, I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. While in graduate school, I served as a therapist with Chicago’s Metropolitan YWCA, working with survivors of sexual assault and their families. From 2003-2006, I coordinated two statewide youth violence prevention programs for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention in Chicago. Prior to relocating to Minneapolis, I spent March-June of 2006 traveling and learning abroad in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. I would love to talk about any of these varied experiences with you and really look forward to working with such an amazing and resilient population at the SPHC!
Melissa Schmidt
Hello, I am one of two social work interns at the HELP Center this year. I am in the Masters of Social Work program here at the University and am really excited to be involved in the HELP Center this year. Along with graduate school, I am also an employee at The Aurora Center here on campus. I have one son, Aiden, who was born 10/5/05. I am excited to celebrate his first birthday next month!
Ali Cain
I am pleased to be completing an internship at the Student Parent HELP Center. I am in my last year of the Masters of Social Work program at the U of M, where I also completed my undergraduate degree in Family Social Science. I have worked at a large family homeless shelter for the past five years. I am looking forward to an exciting year, working on campus alongside a great staff and motivated student parents!
Zer Xiong
Hi! It is my pleasure to be the undergraduate teaching assistant (UGTA) for the Student Parent Help Center. I am also a student parent myself. I have a son who was born on 11/27/06. Currently, I am pursuing a bachelor of arts in the Inter-College Program in the following three areas: Sociology, Family Social Science, and Public Health. Feel free to ask me any questions if you need help in the Student Parent Help Center.
Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Ali Cain at sphc@umn.edu.